Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;MI00901&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘MI00901’, characterized by its relatively compact and upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; freely flowering habit with typically two racemes per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; and concave white-colored flowers.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘MI00901’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘MI00901’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Lochristi, Belgium. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and unique and attractive flower patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in December, 2009 in Lochristi, Belgium of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Ikaria’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,778, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number PH01770, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lochristi, Belgium in August, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Lochristi, Belgium since November, 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MI00901’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘MI00901’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact and upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Freely flowering habit with typically two racemes per plant,         each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   5. Concave white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘Ikaria’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Ikaria’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more compact than plants         of ‘Ikaria’.     -   2. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more freely flowering than         plants of ‘Ikaria’.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are lighter and         brighter green in color than leaves of plants of the male parent         selection.     -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are concave whereas         flowers of plants of the male parent selection are flat.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Dame Blanche’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,346. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Dame Blanche’ in flower shape as flowers of the new Phalaenopsis are concave whereas flowers of plants of ‘Dame Blanche’ are flat.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can also be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘MI00419’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘MI00419’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have larger leaves than plants         of ‘MI00419’.     -   2. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more freely flowering than         plants of ‘MI00419’.     -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are broader than         flowers of plants of ‘MI00419’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘MI00901’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of second sheet is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘MI00901’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the autumn and early winter in 10-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Lochristi, Belgium and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 29° C. and light levels ranged from 150 Watt/m² to 375 Watt/m². Plants were 76 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘MI00901’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Ikaria’, disclosed in             U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,778.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number PH01770, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About nine to ten weeks at             temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About ten to eleven weeks at             temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 140 to             160 days at temperatures about 26° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 150 to             180 days at temperatures about 26° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically grey green in             color, towards the apex, close to light green; actual color             of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water             quality, fertilizer, substrate temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Low to non-branching; sparse. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two branched racemes per plant,             each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate             growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             18 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 46.9 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 31.3 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             eight per plant.         -   Length.—About 18.3 cm.         -   Width.—About 7.8 cm.         -   Aspect.—Mostly flat to slightly arching.         -   Shape.—Obovate; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute, unequal.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute to non-revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Slightly             furrowed, glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to between 144A and             146B. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137C;             venation, close to NN137C. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 144A; towards the margins, close to             between 147A and 147B; venation, close to between 143C. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically three             racemes per plant; each inflorescence with about 14 flowers;             flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences supported             by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals, two lateral             petals and one center petal transformed into a labellum and             three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about 18 weeks after             an inductive cooling period.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about five months on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 26.9 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 19.7 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.9 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm.             Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to N144D; towards the             base, close to between 145B and 145C.         -   Flower diameter.—About 8.1 cm by 12.5 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 3.8 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.5 cm. Width: About 6 cm.             Shape: Reniform; slightly to moderately concave. Apex:             Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When             opening, upper surface: Close to NN155D. When opening, lower             surface: Close to lighter than 150D; towards the margins and             apex, close to NN155D. Fully opened, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to lighter than NN155D.         -   Labellum.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a             central lobe. Length, lateral lobe: About 2.3 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.5 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.4 cm. Width, central lobe: About 2.3 cm. Shape, lateral             lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Roughly rhomboidal to             deltoid. Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe:             Cleft with two moderately long narrow recurved cirrose tips.             Margins, lateral lobes: Entire, undulate. Margins, central             lobe: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at             the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral             petals; about 5 mm in length, about 6 mm in width and about             5 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to NN155D; stripes towards the base, close to             60B to 60C; basal margins, close to 2B. Central lobe: Close             to NN155C; towards the base, close to 1B; stripes towards             the base, close to 60B; basal margins, close to 60B; cirrose             apices, close to 4D. Callosities: Close to 8A; stripes,             close to 60B. When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes:             Close to NN155D; basal margins, close to 2B. Central lobe:             Close to 155A; towards the base, close to 1B; basal margins,             close to 60B; cirrose apices, close to 4D. Fully opened,             upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D; stripes             towards the base, close to 60C; basal margins, close to 5A.             Central lobe: Close to NN155C; towards the base, close to             1A; stripes towards the base, close to 60B; basal margins,             close to 60B; cirrose apices, close to 4D. Callosities:             Close to 8A; stripes, close to 60B. Fully opened, lower             surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D; basal margins,             close to 5A. Central lobe: Close to 155A; towards the base,             close to 2A to 2B; basal margins, close to 60B; cirrose             apices, close to 4D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lower lateral             sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral sepal:             About 4.7 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About 3 cm. Length,             dorsal sepal: About 4.6 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About             3.5 cm. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate; moderately concave.             Shape, dorsal sepal: Obovate; moderately concave. Apex,             lateral and dorsal sepals: Obtuse. Base, lateral and dorsal             sepals: Truncate. Margin, lateral and dorsal sepals: Entire.             Texture and luster, lateral and dorsal sepals, upper and             lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color,             lateral sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to 150D             to lighter than 150D; towards the margins and base, close to             157D; fine dots towards the base, close to 64B. When             opening, lower surface: Close to 145C; towards the margins             and apex, close to 145D and between 145D and 150D. Fully             opened, upper surface: Close to 157B; towards the margins             and apex, close to NN155D; fine dots towards the base, close             to 64B to 64C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 145C to             145D; towards the margins and apex, close to NN155D; main             vein, close to 182B. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening,             upper surface: Close to NN155C. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 145C; towards the margins and apex, close to             between 150D and 157D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to             NN155D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 157D; towards             the margins and apex, close to NN155D to lighter than             NN155D.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 50.8 cm. Diameter: About 5.5 mm.             Strength: Very strong. Aspect: Upright to about 50° from             vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: Close to N200A with fine dots, close to 148C.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.9 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 75° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 147C; proximally, close to 147A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 8 mm.             Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to NN155D.             Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two             pollinia): About 2 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 23A.             Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma width: About             4 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to NN155C.             Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary diameter: About 1.5 mm.             Ovary color: Close to lighter than 145C. Seeds and fruits:             Seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants             of the new Phalaenopsis to date. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not     been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate high temperatures of about 40° C. and suitable     for USDA Hardiness Zone 10. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI00901’ as illustrated and described. 